Why do you wear cologne?

When I first started collecting fragrances (right around two months ago), I had multiple people close to me ask; "Why the need for so many different fragrances?". And that made me wonder, why did I need so many different bottles? Am I trying to satisfy some sub-conscious odor-based memory or desire? Does a new smell make me feel like a new man? Do I need to really buy every variation of L'Homme? (That answer is an obvious yes). These are the questions that I have been thinking about as of recently, and I thought it'd be nice to gain some insight from the community.

I guess my question is, what is the draw of buying fragrances? Why the need for collections of 70+? And I do not mean that to be rhetorical. In the past two months I have increased my collection from 5 to 20, which has resulted in me having to recheck my intentions.

Now I know the obvious reasons that men wear fragrances; it makes us feel more confident, it boosts our sexual appeal, and men who actively wear frags typically have better hygiene practices then those who don't. So why so many? Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my current collection and I really like buying new ones, I'm just curious why you (the community) choose to collect.

If another member could thoroughly explain the reasons why they collect that would be much appreciated.

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

Simply because it gives me pleasure.

(2443)

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Re: Why do you wear cologne?

Why do I wear cologne? Same answer as hednic - it gives me pleasure.

Why do I collect fragrances? To give me expertise and deeper understanding - things which also give me pleasure.

If you know somebody who only golfs every once in a while, but who may actually consider themselves a golfer, they probably have their own putter. Next step up, a few clubs. A "real" golfer almost surely has their own set of clubs. But somebody who totally embraces golf has multiple sets of clubs - old ones, new ones, maybe some for travel, some that they gave away to friends and relatives when they got new ones, etc., etc. They probably keep clubs in the trunk of their car, "just in case". They take golf vacations, and even when they are doing something else, visiting a course is probably on the agenda.

Gun owners - very similar. To actually be proficient (and safe) with firearms takes effort and practice, and that means not just a single putter, if you really want to know what you're doing. There are even people who are analogous to Guerlainophiles, who can tell you the history of, say, Winchester lever-action rifles between 1850 and 1920, with names of inventors, dates, patents, calibers, ranges, numbers manufactured, etc. Which ones are classics, which ones are oddities, who used what, and so on. They are often people who write books, or who write source material used by books. Different specialties, too, very analogous to our own cults. Modern, classic, mainstream and niche. It's all there.

Anime - comics - home brewing - woodworking - knitting - general fashion - it's all there. What I find fascinating is how much human knowledge gets passed through these obscure channels, out of the mainstream knowledge base. However, I'm still waiting for the Perfume Channel on cable.

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

There are probably many reasons - but one wouldn't limit oneself to reading the same book over & over for the rest of one's days so why should fragrance be any different?

Originally Posted by hednic

Simply because it gives me pleasure.

(2443)

I like both of these answers. I see it as interesting and another way to express myself. It is also a part of my grooming and hygiene routine; I spend most of my days in three piece suits and around a lot of people, so I see a good fragrance as something as important as choosing the right tie or a polished pair of shoes with a well-tailored suit.

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

Art on the walls, plants in the garden, photos of travels, liqueurs in the cabinet. Perfumes are in that class of things we partake in not because we need them but purely because we enjoy them. Not everyone is compelled to collect, that's true, choosing instead to experience these things as they come across them happenstance. I subscribe to that notion for art and gardens and liquor but keep photos and perfumes close at hand. Pick and choose but rarely does a person appear to collect nothing, satisfied by their memories alone. I think, in a way, I'm envious of those people--I'd certainly be less weighted down by possessions if I were more like them! That said, some things bring me pleasure and I've gladly chosen to have them.

Collecting fragrances is decidedly less common but no less valid than collecting paintings or music.

This thread seems to be asking two different questions: The title asks why we wear perfume, but the body asks why we accumulate more than the average person. There's some overlap in the answers but insofar as you can argue one needs a perfume at all, it's much harder to argue one needs a lot of perfume. Suffice to say, I think many of us here abandoned ideas of necessity in justifying this pursuit a while ago!

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

A variety of reasons in my case: favorable personal memories, simply enjoying the scent and its individual notes, the need to both expand my scent wardrobe yet also put it to some use, the admiration, fascination, interest for a certain fragrance brand and also the tendency to publicly admit it, the additional personalizing of my outfit by means of fragrances etc.

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

This is an enjoyable thread because the answers to this seemingly obvious question are variable. I tend to agree most with lpp, hednic, and Tony T, and the answer from hedonist is interesting because of the cultural angle. My collection is small especially compared to some other BN members, but it is probably larger now than it was even one year ago. The short answer to this question is because it is satisfying to me.

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

First and most important is that i enjoy the smells of my favourite scents myself. A signature scent to me is the same kind of feeling like a guitar for a guitarist (i think so), in the best case scenario it can be part of the wearer's person.

Secondly i connect the smells of my certain classic scents to the valuable memories from my past.

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

For the Pure Excitement… And that unexpected whiff of sent in the afternoon… and no matter how bad the day is going…I tell myself damn you smell good!… and then I forge ahead in my conquest of the world

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

Certainly these:

Originally Posted by Trilby Lark

Mood enhancement, creative expression, sex appeal.

If one is feeling romantic / sporty / reflective - whatever - the scent can add an extra 5% like the icing on a cake. What also attracts me is the sheer simplicity of enjoying a good scent in a world that is more and more technological and fast-moving. There is also an element of navel-gazing, enjoying the luxury of spending a disproportionate amount of time contemplating ultimately irrelevant (to most people) questions.

As for the number of scents I wear and own, it's like having a wardrobe of different pieces of clothing. One does not wear the same clothes day in and day out, so why wear the same fragrance?

"...put on clothes that are well-scented with incense. Even if you’re somewhere where no one special will see you, you still feel a heady sense of pleasure inside." Things that make your heart beat fast (translated by Meredith McKinney), Sei Shonagon. The Pillow Book.

"The sunset is deeper and longer. The scent of the jasmine is stronger." Miracles. Pet Shop Boys

Re: Why do you wear cologne?

I'm not sure why, but early in life I was fascinated with fragrances, usually the cheap stuff that your average guy wore in the 1970's. As I grew older, I noticed the powerful connection between the sense of smell and memories. That took me to Polo (and Proust). It reminded me of the forest where my family owns a cabin. Many great family memories are conjured up by that green bottle. From there, I became fascinated with just how many fragrances there are. When I discovered Basenotes, I realized that I was far from alone in my desire to delve much deeper into our collective passion (obsession?) for scents. For me, scent makes an already rich life even more memorable, similar to how the right spices make a favorite dish outstanding. Fragrance is the key to a whole new level of living. And ain't it nice?